Last Updated:June 30, 2025, 07:02 IST
Iran’s Parliament has banned the use of Starlink, a satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, following the end of US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Elon Musk (Image: AP/File)
Iranian Parliament has passed a new law banning the use of Starlink–satellite internet service– in the country. Starlink is owned by SpaceX, which is in turn owned by Elon Musk.
According to media reports, Iranian authorities have criminalised its use with severe penalties, including fines, flogging, and up to two years in jail.
Why Iran Banned Starlink?
Reports suggest the move was aimed to combat access to uncontrolled internet that allows users to bypass government censorship. Iran wants to hold control over the information space and restrict access to an uncensored internet.
Meanwhile, Starlink allows users to bypass government restrictions, website blocks, and censorship. Many Iranian citizens resort to using satellite internet in order to learn about world events without filtering.
This comes days after United States’ intervention in Israel-Iran conflict came to an end.
Media reports further suggest that despite the ban, it is estimated that between 20,000 and 40,000 Starlink devices are still active in Iran. Reportedly, most of these entered the country through the black market.
This is not the first time when Iran restricted internet access as VPN services and messaging apps have previously been banned
Notably, the popularity of Starlink indicates that a portion of the Iranian population is willingly taking risks for getting truthful news and world-class services.
In mid June, Iran had imposed nationwide internet restrictions in the wake of Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. A few day later, Musk announced that Starlink satellite communications system had been activated in Iran.
Responding to a post on X that suggested Tehran ordered the internet blackout to stop people from rebelling at home, Musk wrote, “The beams are on,” confirming Starlink’s activation in the country.
All About Starlink
Starlink is already active in over 100 countries. It is SpaceX’s innovative satellite broadband initiative designed to revolutionize worldwide internet access.
Starlink has already placed over 6,000 satellites and aims to scale its constellation to 42,000 by 2027. The system is engineered to deliver fast internet speeds between 50 and 250 Mbps, even in the most remote locations, given the only requirement for connectivity is an clear view of the sky.
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More
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News world Iran’s Parliament Passes Law Banning Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services